June 5 is HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day

HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day (HLTSAD) is a day to honor long-term survivors of HIV and raise awareness about their needs, issues, and journeys. The selection of June 5 for this annual observance coincides with the anniversary of the first official reporting of what became known as the AIDS epidemic on June 5, 1981. When the CDC first reported on five cases of a mysterious disease affecting young gay men. June 5, 1981 is considered the start of the AIDS pandemic.

Today, HIV Long-Term Survivors (HLTS) represent a diverse group of people diagnosed with HIV before the advent of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy or HAART in 1996. They make up about 25% of all people living with HIV and AIDS. 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S. That makes about 300,000 long-term survivors, defined as individuals who acquired HIV before 1996 and the introduction of HAART. HLTS includes people born with HIV or who acquired the virus as babies and are now in their 30s and 40s. HLTS are also those living with HIV and AIDS for over 25 years.

News from the CFAR

Duke Daily article highlights encouraging HIV vaccine approach: GPS-like System Shows Promise as HIV Vaccine Strategy to Elicit Critical Antibodies

A recent Duke Health media article highlights a publication by DHVI investigators with encouraging findings:

A team led by the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) has developed a vaccine approach that works like a GPS, guiding the immune system through the specific steps to make broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV.

Publishing in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, the study describes an approach that provides step-by-step directions for the immune system to generate the elusive, yet necessary antibodies for a successful HIV vaccine. 



“HIV is the fastest-evolving virus known. So it’s been a long-standing goal in HIV research to create a vaccine that can generate broadly neutralizing antibodies that can recognize diverse HIV strains,” said lead author Kevin Wiehe, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and director of research at DHVI.

Wiehe and colleagues started with an engineered version of a broadly neutralizing antibody in its original state, before any mutations occurred. Knowing that the antibody will need to mutate to keep up with the ever-changing HIV virus, the researchers then added sequential mutations one-by-one to determine which mutations were essential for the antibody to broadly neutralize HIV. 

Doing this allowed them to figure out what the exact points were along the route to arrive at broadly neutralizing antibodies. They then developed a vaccine which gave the immune system the turn-by-turn directions to follow that mutational route. 

Using mice specially bred to encode for the original version of the antibody, the researchers demonstrated that the guidance system approach triggered the immune system to start churning out the sought-after antibodies.

“This paper shows that our mutation-guided vaccine strategy can work,” said Wiehe, adding that the technique could also be used in vaccines for other diseases. “This strategy potentially gives us a way to design vaccines to direct the immune system to make any antibody we want, which could be a broadly neutralizing antibody for all coronavirus variants, or an anti-cancer antibody.”

Wiehe said the next challenge will be to reproduce the study in primates and then humans.

In addition to Wiehe, study authors includes Kevin O. Saunders, Victoria Stalls, Derek W. Cain, Sravani Venkatayogi, Joshua S. Martin Beem, Madison Berry, Tyler Evangelous, Rory Henderson, Bhavna Hora, Shi-Mao Xia, Chuancang Jiang, Amanda Newman, Cindy Bowman, Xiaozhi Lu, Mary E. Bryan, Joena Bal, Aja Sanzone, Haiyan Chen, Amanda Eaton, Mark A. Tomai, Christopher B. Fox, Ying Tam, Christopher Barbosa, Mattia Bonsignori, Hiromi Muramatsu, S. Munir Alam, David Montefiori, Wilton B. Williams, Norbert Pardi, Ming Tian, Drew Weissman, Frederick W. Alt, Priyamvada Acharya, and Barton F. Haynes. The study received funding support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a part of the National Institutes of Health (UM1AI144371, 1U19AI135902-01, P01AI131251-01).

Read the Duke Media article and publication from Wiehe et al.

D3C Chair Eugenia Rogers selected for NMAC 2024 HIV 50+ Strong & Healthy Cohort

NMAC is pleased to announce the 2024 HIV 50+ Strong and Healthy cohort. The 50+ Strong and Healthy program launched in the summer of 2016, and the 2024 affiliate constitutes the ninth cohort. Since the program’s launch, NMAC has supported HIV and aging advocates throughout the country and Puerto Rico through projects like mini-grants, peer health education events, the National HIV and Aging Advocacy Network (NHAAN), social media campaigns, and webinars around HIV and aging topics. This year, NMAC will continue to engage, educate, advocate, and mobilize this year’s HIV 50+ Scholars, as well as 50+ Scholars from past years.

Each year, NMAC ensures that those selected represent the communities most impacted by the HIV epidemic. This year’s HIV 50+ cohort is comprised of older adults living with HIV and who have a demonstrated record of advocating for PLWH over the age of 50 and/or other Long-Term Survivors. As always, the cohort is made up of a mix of returning 50+ Scholars (38%) and new Scholars (62%).

The Duke CFAR is excited that our Duke Collaborative Community Council (D3C) Chair Eugenia Rogers was selected for this year's cohort. Her bio is featured on the NMAC website:

I am Eugenia Rogers, and I was born in Durham, North Carolina where I reside. I have two amazing adult children, a son and a daughter. I attended North Carolina Central University for both undergraduate and graduate studies. I earned a BA in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in 2009 and an MLS in Special Libraries in 2013.

I love working and volunteering in my community with homeless shelters, educational programs, and anything about HIV/AIDS education. I worked as a librarian in a Charter School for 5 years, fostering my love for education. I have a passion for literacy and educating people. I am currently employed at a non-profit literacy center. Education is a way out of poverty and when those who know teach those that do not, we give hope.

I like to use my educational skills to work towards eliminating the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in my community. I have served as the Chair of the Community Collaborative Council (D3C) of the Duke CFAR for the past two years. That role has allowed me to expand my knowledge base of HIV/AIDS. I had the opportunity to be a co-director on a research grant to combat stigma in African American Faith-Based Organizations the National Institutes sponsored the grant.

I am a person living with HIV, and a Long-Term Survivor. In the beginning, my diagnosis was delivered to me as a death sentence, and I am happy to say that is no longer the case, thanks to medication and a tribe of people who love and support me. I now live my life, undetectable and full of faith, life, love, joy, and happiness. One of my purposes in life is to fight against stigma by educating people everywhere I go about HIV/AIDS. I believe if we eliminate the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS those who are living afraid and in silence will no longer have to live that way.

Eugenia recently spoke with students from the R25 Quantitative Methods in HIV/AIDS Summer Internship program during their orientation week. The students all felt that having Eugenia talk to them about her lived experience was powerful and impactful, helping to center the work they will do this summer as they support ongoing research projects.

We are grateful for Eugenia's advocacy and the expertise and experience she brings to the CFAR. Congratulations, Eugenia!

Learn more about the HIV 50+ Strong & Healthy Cohort.

ID Grand Rounds featuring Dr. Valerie Yelverton:

Can telehealth be tailored to improve equitable outcomes in HIV care?

Monday, June 3, 2024 | 4pm ET | Hanes House Auditorium & Zoom

Zoom information

https://duke.zoom.us/j/98686770700?pwd=SXd1bm1YditFdWxmM0pkclRlQlljdz09 

Meeting ID: 986 8677 0700

Password: 205062

Harvard CFAR Grand Rounds - Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in People with HIV: Past, Present and Future

Friday, June 7, 2024 | 2-3pm ET | Zoom

Join the Harvard Center for AIDS Research for a Grand Rounds presentation, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in People with HIV: Past, Present and Future.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increased among PWH. The presentation of CVD among PWH is often unique compared to the general population. Epidemiologic studies suggest that CVD often occurs among younger PWH, with higher relative rates among females. Moreover, CVD often presents with lower predicted risk than in the general population of disease, using current risk prediction algorithms. Prior studies suggest increased patterns of inflammation and vulnerable coronary plaque among PWH, which may be amenable to lipid and inflammation lowering strategies. New data from the global REPRIEVE trial reinforce the utility of a statin prevention trial for low-moderate risk PWH, highlight optimal treatment groups, and demonstrate unique mechanisms of cardiovascular disease as well as novel strategies for future study in this population.

SPEAKERS: Virginia (Jeanne) Triant, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, HMS & Steven Grinspoon, MD, Professor of Medicine, HMS

MODERATOR: Markella Zanni, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, HMS

Register for the webinar.

Equity in Practice Grand Rounds + Panel Discussion: Navigating Gender Transition & The Role of Healthcare Providers in Promoting SGM Health Equity

Monday, June 10, 2024 |Grand Rounds: 4:00pm, Hanes House Room 131 + Zoom | Panel: 5-6:30pm, 040 Trent Hall

The Division of Infectious Diseases and the HIV Center of Excellence would like to formally invite you to a moderated discussion on providing equitable healthcare to persons of sexual and gender minorities (SGM) with national experts in the field. 

Equity in Practice: The Role of Healthcare Providers in Promoting SGM Health Equity

Date: June 10, 2024, Time: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Discussion Begins: 5:15 pm 

Location: 040 Trent Hall 

Speakers:

Carly Kelley, MD, MPH, ECNU

Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Co-Director Duke Adult Gender Medicine Clinic

Nicole Nisly, MD

Consulting Associate, Division of General Internal Medicine

Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Women/Sexuality Studies, University of Iowa 

Tonia Poteat, PhD

Professor, Duke School of Nursing

Co-Director Duke SGM Wellness Program

Principal Investigator, Research in Sexual and Gender Minority Equity (RISE) Lab

Dane R. Whicker, PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Dept of Psychiatry

Director, Gender and Sexual Diversity Initiatives, Duke SOM Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Moderator:

Lance Okeke, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine,

Vice Chief for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Duke Infectious Diseases

The HIV Center of Excellence will provide light food and refreshment. Please indicate any dietary restrictions under the Public Comment tab.

Due to space limitations, only the first 50 signups will be accepted. Please RSVP by June 7, 2024.

RSVP for the panel.

Love Her Collective Webinar: Developing and sustaining a community-academic partnership to address HIV inequities among transgender women of color in Detroit

Friday, June 14, 2024 | 12:30-2pm ET | Zoom

Speakers:

Kristi E. Gamarel, PhD

Associate Professor, Associate Chair of Health Behavior and Health Education,

University of Michigan School of Public Health

Lilianna Angel Reyes, MPA, TTS

Executive Director of Trans Sistas of Color Project Health Equity and Outreach Director at the Ruth Ellis Center

Transgender women of color have a long history of organizing, activism, and service to sustain their communities under hostile social, political, and economic conditions. However, research efforts to address HIV inequities often fail to ensure transgender women of color have meaningful leadership roles throughout the entire research process. The “Love Her Collective” is a community-academic partnership between Trans Sistas of Color Project-Detroit (TSoCP) and academic researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health formed around the needs, interests, and priorities of transgender women of color in Detroit. In this talk, we will provide an overview of our HIV status-neutral research projects addressing violence, trauma, and economic vulnerability. We will focus on the ethics and benefits surrounding community leadership in HIV equity research and include concrete recommendations for researchers.

Zoom Information

https://nih.zoomgov.com/j/1601711372?pwd=R2g2MlNtNVlTajNIZjJhT1JMOERaUT09 Meeting ID: 160 171 1372

Passcode: 527059

Save the Date - Keystone Symposium, HIV Cure: Antiretroviral Therapy-Free Control of HIV Infection

April 7-10, 2025 | Durban, South Africa

Save the date for the upcoming Keystone Symposium, HIV Cure: Antiretroviral Therapy-Free Control of HIV Infection, taking place April 7-10, 2025 at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani in Durban, South Africa.  

Intent to submit forms due June 14th for Duke NIH Interdisciplinary Research Training Program in AIDS T32

We are pleased to announce that the Duke NIH Interdisciplinary Research Training Program in AIDS (IRTPA) T32 has two slots available for appointments starting no earlier than Sep 1st, 2024, but no later than August 1st, 2025.  

We are seeking outstanding postdoctoral (MD, PhD, or MD/PhD) candidates performing basic, clinical, or social and behavioral research related to HIV/AIDS. Salary support for the trainee is included in the fellowship, and the candidate must commit to at least one year of research under this program. There may be opportunity for T32 support beyond one year; however, please make candidates aware of the NIH payback obligation policy. Applicants need to be US citizens/permanent residents.

Research plans of up to three years are encouraged and a current program brochure is attached for your reference.    

Interested applicants should complete this short intent to submit form no later than Friday, Jun 14th, 2024. 

Upon successful completion of the intent to submit, candidates will then receive application form with instructions for completion, including a list of required documents, within one business day. 

The full application deadline will be Friday, July 12th, 2024.

Learn more and submit an interest form.

Registration open for Summer Writing Seminars

July & August 2024 | Virtual

Registration is open for two seminars to be held this summer to support scholarly writing and grantsmanship for Duke faculty, trainees, and staff:

1. WRITE WINNING NIH GRANT PROPOSALS 

• A virtual seminar from Grant Writers' Seminars and Workshops focusing on writing successful NIH grant proposals
• Dates and times: July 17 and 18, 8:30am - 12:30 pm ET (must attend both sessions)

2. WRITING AND PUBLISHING HIGH-IMPACT RESEARCH MANUSCRIPTS

• A virtual seminar from Grant Writers' Seminars and Workshops focusing on writing and publishing high-impact research manuscripts
• Dates and times: August 6 and 7, 1:00 - 5:00 pm ET

Access the Duke Office of Research Initiatives website for more information and to register.

Learn more about the workshops.

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